Sobriety and security: Raiders’ Maxx Crosby is doubly thankful after signing extension
.JPG "Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby celebrates after a defensive stop during a game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Indianapolis.")
Maxx Crosby will be staying put for a while with the Las Vegas Raiders. Perhaps for the rest of his career.
The Raiders and the Pro Bowl defensive end agreed to a a four-year contract extension Friday. The deal’s total value matches his jersey number at $98.98 million, with $95 million in new money and $53 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
It already was going to be a special day for Crosby, who in a morning Twitter post noted that it is two years to the day that’s he been sober.
“It’s a blessing,” Crosby said via a Zoom call with reporters. “You can’t make it up. A lot of people have been asking like, ‘Did you plan to do that? I’m like nah, it just happened. It was the universe. It was supposed to happen. It’s a major blessing. There’s no other place than I’d rather be. I want to be a Raider for life. I got it tatted on me before I ever made a play or anything.
“I feel like I showed the fan base I was serious about them and I’m going to continue to do that every single day and show up and be the hardest working (player) in the building and lead by example.”
It certainly was well deserved, with Crosby becoming a force for the Raiders after joining the the franchise following his selection in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Eastern Michigan.
All he’s done is improve each season, a career path that so far has been capped by a 2022 Pro Bowl appearance in Las Vegas, where he was named the defensive Most Valuable Player after he finished with five tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and three pass deflections in the AFC’s 41-35 victory.
Crosby, 24, finished the 2021 NFL regular season with 36 tackles and eight sacks. He had the most pressures in the NFL with 108, according to Pro Football Focus.
In three seasons with the Raiders, Crosby has 142 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 57 quarterback hits, 25 sacks, four forced fumbles, 12 pass deflections and one fumble recovery in 49 games played.
He admitted it had been a stressful week as the extension was being finalized, but also said it was a “fast process.” Watching a bit of television helped him deal with the process.
“It’s a big credit to the organization to (general manager) Dave Ziegler to coach (Josh) McDaniels,” Crosby said. “They showed their commitment to me right away. They didn’t want to play any games. They told me everything you wanted to hear as a player with new coaches coming in. They were awesome and super positive.
“I was continuing to do what I do. I was showing up. Waking up at 5:30 in the morning, getting into the building early, watching ‘Sopranos’ at night, and it was a typical day, just a little bit more stress for sure.”
Two years ago, Crosby, then living in Hollywood, checked into rehab for treatment of alcoholism.
He’s been sober since and recently got engaged, proposing to his longtime girlfriend, Rachel.
Crosby said he wants to help others.
“I want to be of service to other people, going through whatever they’re going through right now,” he said. “It’s crazy. My fiancée sent me a picture of me checking into a rehab and just seeing how I looked. Like the look on my face and how much different I looked. I didn’t recognize that person.
“Just two years later, I have an ability to take care of myself forever, but my kids and my dogs, most importantly. Just everything in general is just unbelievable. I’ve come from a tough situation, but I just want to show people out there that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. So many people I can thank. I have great mentors in my corner. It’s a blessing for sure.”
Star QB, others react to Crosby extension
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was excited about the new deal for Crosby. And cornerback Casey Hayward also chimed in.
Fullback Alec Ingold, who also joined the Raiders in 2019 but is now an unrestricted free agent, offered a two-word description of his teammate.
Raider Nation also appeared universally pleased with Crosby’s extension.
This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 3:33 PM.
